AT&T vs. Optimum: Which Web Supplier Ought to Earn Your Cash?

Proper off the bat, I’ve to admit that I wasn’t even positive what to name this text. It was initially going to be AT&T versus Suddenlink. However then the latter’s dad or mum firm, Altice USA, introduced it will be rebranding Suddenlink. So, ought to it’s AT&T versus Altice USA? I would wager that the majority of CNET’s readers are extra accustomed to Altice’s Optimum and Suddenlink manufacturers than with Altice itself. Since Suddenlink shall be transitioning to Optimum this 12 months, I’ve determined to go together with AT&T versus Optimum. Nonetheless, remember that on the Optimum aspect, I will be together with the areas and areas that Suddenlink is at present servicing.

Okay, with that established, now that we have determined to pit AT&T and Optimum house web providers in opposition to one another, what precisely are we evaluating? AT&T is likely one of the titans of the telecom trade, with broadband providers out there to roughly 40% of houses in 21 states throughout the US. Optimum additionally gives house web to subscribers throughout 21 states, so it is no slouch, both.

AT&T Web gives fiber-optic web service, in addition to DSL and fixed-wireless choices. Optimum plans are principally cable web, however with a rising variety of fiber web tiers too. Every firm’s fiber plans will give prospects essentially the most worth. We’ll see that there is some overlap between their respective protection maps, so in some instances, you possibly can be confronted with a selection between them when purchasing for an web service supplier. 

Moreover, we’ll examine plans, costs, promos and extra to see which ISP may swimsuit your private home finest. Let’s dive in deeper to know how they match up. 

AT&T vs. Optimum: Availability and protection map

On the prime of the web page, I discussed that each AT&T and Optimum can be found in 21 states throughout the US. However one look on the above map from the Federal Communications Fee exhibits that AT&T covers extra folks. In truth, in response to the FCC’s numbers, AT&T is out there to only over 40% of the nation, whereas Optimum reaches practically 6% throughout the nation. 

Whenever you take a peek at a few of the precise areas lined by the 2 ISPs, Optimum has Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the northeastern Tri-State space — Connecticut, New Jersey and New York (together with New York Metropolis) — all to itself. AT&T, alternatively, does not need to compete with Optimum in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

The place is there some crossover? Each AT&T and Optimum present providers in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas.     

All that mentioned, whereas each contact the same variety of states, AT&T can declare extra widespread availability to prospects throughout the US.

Examine AT&T and Optimum plans and costs

AT&T and Optimum every present quite a lot of web connection sorts. AT&T options DSL, fiber and glued wi-fi choices, whereas Optimum gives cable and fiber plans. Let’s discover a bit extra to see how they examine. 

AT&T plans and pricing

Plan	Max speeds	Promo value (first 12 months)	Common month-to-month price (after 12 months)	Gear payment	Information Cap
AT&T Mounted Wi-fi	25Mbps obtain, 1Mpbs add	$70	$70	None	350GB
AT&T Web 10 (DSL)	10Mbps obtain, 1Mpbs add	$55	$70	None	1TB
AT&T Web 18 (DSL)	18Mbps obtain, 1Mpbs add	$55	$70	None	1TB
AT&T Web 25 (DSL)	25Mbps obtain, 2Mpbs add	$55	$70	None	1TB
AT&T Web 50 (DSL)	50Mbps obtain, 10Mpbs add	$55	$70	None	1TB
AT&T Web 100 (DSL)	100Mbps obtain, 20Mpbs add	$55	$70	None	None
AT&T Fiber – Web 300	300Mbps obtain, 300Mpbs add	$55	$55	None	None
AT&T Fiber – Web 500	500Mbps obtain, 500Mpbs add	$65	$65	None	None
AT&T Fiber – Web 1000	940Mbps obtain, 880Mpbs add	$80	$80	None	None
AT&T Fiber – Web 2000	2Gbps obtain, 2Gbps add	$110	$110	None	None
AT&T Fiber – Web 5000	5Gbps obtain, 5Gbps add	$180	$180	None	None

Optimum plans and pricing

Plan	Max speeds	Beginning month-to-month value	Common month-to-month value (after 12 months)	Month-to-month gear payment	Information cap	Contract
Optimum 300	300Mbps obtain, 20Mbps add	$40	$110	None	None	None
Fiber Optimum 300	300Mbps obtain, 300Mbps add	$40	$110	None	None	None
Optimum 500	500Mbps obtain, 20Mbps add	$60	$130	None	None	None
Fiber Optimum 500	500Mbps obtain, 500Mbps add	$60	$130	None	None	None
Optimum 1 Gig	940Mbps obtain, 35Mbps add	$80	$140	None	None	None
Fiber Optimum 1 Gig	940Mbps obtain, 940Mbps add	$80	$140	None	None	None

I can really feel your ache when you’re feeling data overload in the intervening time. Let’s examine what we will do to simplify issues. All of Optimum’s choices are higher than AT&T’s DSL and glued wi-fi choices. You get higher obtain and add speeds and will not need to take care of limiting knowledge caps. 

However as soon as we begin trying on the 300Mbps tiers and above, it turns into a win for AT&T. To begin with, fiber web at all times outperforms cable web connections. Fiber connections function symmetrical obtain and add speeds (cable web has a lot slower add speeds than obtain speeds). Now, Optimum options some fiber plans too. In line with what a spokesperson instructed CNET earlier, they’re out there to only over one million prospects. However AT&T, out of its first-quarter reporting for 2022, says roughly 17 million of its prospects are eligible for fiber. 

Moreover, in terms of price, AT&T has the sting. Whereas AT&T and Optimum are nearly equal on beginning costs for comparable velocity plans, AT&T’s value is the worth. There is no steep soar after your first 12 months of service, as is lurking with Optimum’s plans. To be honest, many ISPs take the identical strategy as Optimum and provide you with an alluring value out of the gate however bump up your invoice quantity after 12 months. I respect that AT&T takes a distinct strategy, and I think your family funds will welcome that predictability.  

AT&T vs. Optimum: Phrases and costs

Let me lower to the chase: Each AT&T and Optimum seem to intention to do proper by their prospects by minimizing the additional expenses and costs. For instance, neither supplier requires a time period settlement, so there isn’t any worry of early termination charges. Let’s take a peek at different phrases and circumstances you may encounter. 

No month-to-month modem charges 

That is pretty latest information. Initially of 2022, each AT&T and Optimum charged a further $10 monthly for gear. Even worse, AT&T did not provide you with an opportunity to skip that payment through the use of your individual gear. Nonetheless, efficient instantly, each suppliers have trashed their earlier charges and now embrace gateway units (modem or router) within the month-to-month price. That is nice information.

One-time set up payment 

Optimum has the cheaper setup cost, which runs $59, however is included when you order on-line. Equally, AT&T will waive its set up cost — the next, $99 payment — if prospects order on-line.

No knowledge caps to worry, for essentially the most half 

All Optimum prospects get limitless knowledge with all plans. That eliminates any worries about attainable knowledge overage charges or throttling points to hinder the efficiency of your broadband connection. The identical will be mentioned with most AT&T plans, besides the DSL and glued wi-fi choices. These are nonetheless burdened with knowledge caps, sadly. Clients shall be charged an additional $10 for every further 50GB of information used monthly, as much as $100 monthly (or $200 monthly for fastened wi-fi prospects). Chalk this one up as a win for Optimum.

AT&T vs. Optimum: Perks and promos

Each Optimum and AT&T provide some attractive promos to attempt to lure potential prospects. HBO Max, specifically, performs an element in each suppliers’ choices.

First, Optimum presents new prospects a Visa Pay as you go Card, starting from $50 to $200, relying on the tier you choose. Second, new prospects have a chance so as to add two or extra strains of Optimum Cell for the lowered price of $30 monthly. Third, an HBO Max subscription (a price of $15 a month) is included for wherever from three months (for subscribers of the bottom, 300Mbps tier) to a full 12 months (Gig prospects).

AT&T additionally comes robust with the perks. To begin, prospects who join on-line will obtain a $150 AT&T Visa Reward Card. Subsequent up, new fiber prospects will get free entry to AT&T’s nationwide community of 30,000 hotspots. Lastly, all AT&T fiber prospects with gigabit velocity or above will get a free HBO Max subscription for so long as they continue to be with the service. That is a stable worth of $180 a 12 months at some stage in your time as an AT&T buyer. 

AT&T vs. Optimum on buyer satisfaction — it isn’t even shut

Let’s begin right here: ISPs are useless final amongst all industries for buyer satisfaction. Nonetheless, inside that context, AT&T fares fairly effectively inside the class, whereas Optimum has some work to do. 

AT&T appeared close to the highest of the charts in JD Energy’s 2021 US Residential Web Service Supplier Satisfaction Research. It shone brightly in two areas — the North Central and South — and had a median rating of 738 out of 1,000 attainable factors. Optimum was second-to-last within the East area with 655 factors, which was effectively under the general common of 714. It fared even worse within the South (below the banner of Suddenlink), the place it garnered solely 621 factors. 

Over on the American Buyer Satisfaction Index, the most recent metrics present AT&T in third place, with 69 out of 100 factors. Whereas that is down 3% from the earlier 12 months, it is nonetheless effectively above the trade common. Conversely, Optimum fell far wanting the trade common and, at 59 factors, it snagged a spot on the backside of the ACSI chart. The one ISP under it was Suddenlink, which, as we talked about on the very begin of this text, is definitely Optimum now. Ouch.

AT&T vs. Optimum: What is the backside line?

In actuality, despite the fact that there’s some crossover within the states they cowl, AT&T and Optimum will not usually go head-to-head in your {dollars}. Each suppliers are increasing their fiber footprints, although AT&T, because the bigger firm, is rising extra aggressively. In case your tackle is serviceable for both of their fiber web choices, you are going to get a very good product. However Optimum’s looming value enhance after 12 months signifies that you will get the higher worth in the long term from AT&T.

AT&T vs. Optimum FAQs